​Op/ed: Optimism while creating common ‘cents’By State Rep. Terrie Wood, The Darien Times, February 13, 2019

State Rep. Terrie Wood is a Republican representing Rowayton and Darien.

We are four weeks into the legislative session and as is typical for this time of year, we have been busy reading over numerous bill proposals — many that make sense, and many that are head scratchers.

Many proposals from the Democratic legislators feature large tax or fee increases for Connecticut residents hidden under the guise of “regionalism.” Their proposals are to regionalize schools, health departments and vehicle property taxes, along with a one mill statewide property tax increase on each and every property owner in the state (S.B. 431).​

On Friday I sent an email on Governor Lamont's Education bill, sharing that the proposal was approved by the Education Committee.

While the Education Committee did approve House Bill 7150 (An Act Implementing The Governor's Budget...), which originally included the Teachers' Pension Reform plan requiring municipalities to share in the costs, they eliminated the pension language from the bill before voting to approve it. Please see the article in CT Mirror for more information.

Though the Education Committee did not pass the pension sharing plan out of committee, there is a possibility that the proposal may be incorporated into another bill as we head into the last two months of the legislative session. As one of the most controversial proposals this session, it deserves continued public input and discussion as we work to restore economic balance in our state.

I apologize for any confusion my previous email may have caused and am pleased to share that this plan has been halted for now.

A Capitol Update from Terrie Wood, State Representative (141st District)Published May 10, 2019

​Dear Friends and Neighbors,

We have slightly less than four weeks left of the legislative session. I wanted to update you on the legislation that passed yesterday that many feel will further impede our efforts at fiscal recovery for our state. Here is a summary and my thoughts on it.

As always, please let me know your thoughts on this and any other pending legislation.

I voted against H.B. 5004, An Act Increasing the Fair Minimum Wage from $10.10 per hour to $15 per hour (a 48.5 percent increase) over a four year period beginning October 1, 2019 ($11/hour). The rate would then increase $1 per year until June 1, 2023, when it becomes $15. From then onward, the minimum wage would rise automatically with the employment cost index. Only individuals under 18 years of age will be eligible to receive 85 percent of the minimum wage for the first 90 days of employment.

​This bill was called on the House floor at 10:00 p.m. on May 8th and was debated for just over 14 hours before going to a vote shortly after 12:00 p.m. the following day. The bill passed 85 to 59 without a single Republican vote. Two Democrats voted in opposition as well.

As a House Republican Policy Chair, I consider this one of the most anti-business proposals to come before the Connecticut General Assembly. The proponents of the bill said this legislation was about fairness.

​Want to discuss fairness? How is it fair to the family-run businesses in our communities that will potentially need to reduce their staffs’ hours, lay-off valued employees, scale back services, raise their prices or even close their doors for good just because of this bill? How is it fair to the workers who will need to fight even harder for the few remaining jobs in their towns because employers have determined they cannot afford to hire? How is it fair to the college students who need to work year-round just to pay their tuition and avoid taking on tens of thousands of dollars in loans? How is it fair to disabled individuals who need these positions?

It’s not. This bill may have been well-intended, but it certainly will not feel that way to the thousands of people across Connecticut who may face unemployment as unintended consequences of this legislation. This will cripple many of our nonprofits that provide valuable services to our most vulnerable residents including the disabled, seniors, children, and low-income families.

More than half of the businesses (58.2%) in our state have less than 100 employees. Small business owners in Norwalk and Darien with whom I spoke, expressed universal and deep concern about this legislation. “We continue to see that top-down, heavy hand of government is not a productive way to grow our economy. It is essential to stabilize our state economy with predictable and practical policies that encourage businesses to come to and stay in Connecticut. This will continue to be my priority.

​Everyone in the legislature wants to see wages eventually increase and our economy recover. We want people to earn more, we want them to spend more, and we want them to have a higher standard of living. That’s the American dream, and if we allow the free market to operate with minimal intervention, I believe that our economy will improve. The problem is that this legislative body cannot get out of its own way and continues to pass legislation and budgets that are damaging to our already fragile state economy. If our state slides into another recession, will our Democratic colleagues still call this bill progressive? I doubt it.

House Republicans made several attempts to amend the bill. Amendments included language to protect municipalities (LCO 8201), and non-profits, hospitals, and universities (LCO 8204). Other amendments addressed seasonal employees (LBO 8259), learners and beginners (LCO 8280), as well as farm and agricultural workers (LCO 8266). None of the Republican amendments passed and few had support from Democrats.

Yesterday at noon, Governor Ned Lamont gave his budget address to the Joint Session of state Senators, state Representatives and assembled guests. The governor provided his vision with strategic and practical solutions to address our fiscal challenges.

The next step in the biennial budget process is for the legislature and governor's office to work together in building consensus on a budget that we can vote on by the end of the legislative session, Wednesday June 5th. There are many subjects to be debated and many points of view to consider in this process, as you might expect. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on issues of importance to you.

A Capitol Update from Terrie Wood, State Representative (141st District)Published March 29, 2019

​Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This week at the Capitol, a great deal of focus was placed on Governor Lamont's Teachers' Pension Reform plan and arbitration awards for newly unionized lawyers.

Under the governor's Teachers' Pension Reform proposal, the responsibility of contributing approximately 25% of teachers' retirement funds would shift from the state to municipalities. The rate of return assumption will also decrease from 8% to 6.9%. This could stress municipal budgets so that local leaders must contemplate tax hikes. This proposal was approved by the Education Committee today.

I continue to advocate for policies that create efficiencies and economize for our state residents. I don't believe continually increasing taxes and adding new taxes makes any sense whatsoever for our state.

On Wednesday, the legislative majority approved a two-year contract for newly unionized state lawyers working for State Attorney General William Tong that includes raises costing the state an additional $3.3 million starting in the second year.

The contract was decided through arbitration earlier in the week. Now that it was approved by the legislature, it will grant base salary increases of up to 5.5 percent each year (totaling 11 percent in two years) to roughly 200 newly unionized state attorneys. In addition to a no-layoff agreement, everyone from the Assistant Attorney General to department heads will also receive a $2,000 lump sum bonus. On top of the $2,000 bonus, however, department heads will also receive an added bonus of $18,000 over two years.

The agreement was approved by votes of 77-67 in the House and 19-17 in the Senate. It covers at least 185 Assistant Attorneys General, including 14 that serve as department heads, whose average annual salaries will be increased to nearly $133,500.

If you have questions about these or any other state-government related issues, please reach out to me via the means listed below.

Have a great weekend,

Rep. Wood Sworn Into Sixth TermWill Also Serve as House Republican Policy Chairman​

Posted on January 11, 2019

HARTFORD — State Representative Terrie Wood (R-141) joined legislative colleagues on Wednesday, Opening Day of the 2019 Legislative Session, and was sworn in to her sixth term. She will serve for two years as State Representative for the 141st General Assembly District of Norwalk and Darien.

“It is energizing to be starting another Legislative Session in Hartford,” said Rep. Wood. “I truly enjoy this responsibility and will continue to do my best to represent your voice in Hartford. Please feel free to reach out to me anytime with questions or concerns about state government, and ideas for new legislation.”

Rep. Wood’s legislative committee assignments for this term are Human Services; Finance, Revenue & Bonding; and Higher Education & Employment Advancement Committees. In addition, she was named House Republican Policy Chairman.

The Human Services Committee holds responsibility for the Department of Social Services and the Department of Rehabilitation Services. The Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee deals with all finance, revenue, capital, bonding, fees and taxation matters and anything relating to the Department of Revenue Services. Finally, the Higher Education & Employment Advancement Committee has cognizance over the community colleges, state university system, and the University of Connecticut – as well as workforce development programs.

In closing, Rep. Wood commented, “This will be a challenging session given our ongoing fiscal difficulties. I believe that our new Governor Ned Lamont will bring a fresh perspective and respectful approach to building bipartisan consensus on how to put our great state on a path to fiscal prosperity – prosperity that will be of benefit to all who live in our state. I look forward to getting to work!”

To follow Rep. Wood’s proposed legislation, visit her website (www.repterriewood.com) and click on the “Legislation” tab, or sign up for her email updates. To follow committee meetings and House debates as they unfold live on Connecticut’s public affairs television network, CT-N, tune your TV to Channel 59, or stream the proceedings online at www.ctn.state.ct.us.